無し
Without, No
Structure
Phrase + なしだ
Noun + なし + の + Noun
Explanation
While it functions almost entirely like a suffix, なし is technically a noun meaning 'a state of not having something' (ないこと). Written with kanji as 無し, it attaches to a noun to show that the noun is 'without' something.
Based on the intended meaning, なし is frequently used with the auxiliary verb だ or its connective form, で. The structure なしで expresses the idea of doing something 'without (B)'. To modify another noun directly, the particle の is needed after なし. This combination, なしの, also describes something 'that is without (B)'.
- この計画は問題なしだ。This plan is without any issues. (This plan is flawless)
- ノックなしで部屋に入らないで下さい。Please don't enter the room without knocking.
- 砂糖なしの甘い飲み物はありますか。Do you have any sweet drinks without sugar?
なし isn't limited to being attached directly to a noun. It is often used to refer to an event or activity that one intends to skip or go without. In such situations, it can be combined with the case marking particle に (in the phrase なしにする) to express a decision to do without something.
- 昨日は寝るのが遅かったから、今日は朝ごはんなしにする。I went to bed late yesterday, so I'm going to skip breakfast today.
- 部長が来ると緊張するから、部長なしにしよう。The boss makes things tense when he comes, so let's do it without him.
Caution
It's important to distinguish 無し from 抜き, another suffix-like grammar point that also means 'without (A)'. The key distinction lies in their origins. なし is related to ない and conveys a simple absence or lack of something. In contrast, 抜き derives from the verb 抜く, 'to pull out' or 'to remove'. Consequently, 抜き carries the nuance of deliberately taking something out that would normally be included. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, this is not always the case.
- 玉ねぎ抜きでお願いします。Hold the onions, please.
- 砂糖無しでお願いします。Without sugar, please.
Examples
レストランのメニュー：「肉無しのベジタリアンピザ」
Restaurant menu: 'Vegetarian pizza without meat'
親との会話：「辞書無しでこの本を読んでみて。」
Conversation with a parent: 'Try reading this book without a dictionary.'
エッセイ：「努力無しでは、成功はあり得ない。」
Essay: 'Without effort, success is impossible.'
同僚との会話：「今年のボーナスは無しだそうだ。」
Conversation with a colleague: 'I heard there's no bonus this year.'
彼は予告無しで会社を辞めた。
He quit the company without any notice.
あの映画は涙無しでは見られない。
You can't watch that movie without crying.
旅行の話：「計画無しで旅に出た。」
Talking about a trip: 'I went on a journey without a plan.'
彼は問答無しの天才だ。
He is an undeniable genius. (without question)
友人へのメッセージ：「あなたの助け無しでは、成功できなかったでしょう。」
Message to a friend: 'I probably couldn't have succeeded without your help.'
冗談の結末：「そして、その話はオチ無しだった。」
End of a joke: 'And so, the story had no punchline.'
レストランでの注文：「コーヒーはミルク無しでお願いします。」
Ordering at a restaurant: 'I'll have the coffee without milk, please.'
キャッチフレーズ：「待ち時間無しのストレスフリーな体験」
Catchphrase: 'A stress-free experience without any waiting time.'